"The correction of my client's verdict shows that judicial bodies in our country have changed their ideas about dealing with cases where there is doubt," Wang said.

"They are upholding the principle that, under the Criminal Procedure Law, there should be no punishment in such cases."

Officials at Hainan High People's Court bowed and apologized to Chen on Monday and told him that he could apply for State compensation, Wang said.

Also on Monday, 27 officials, including police officers, prosecutors and judges, in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region were penalized over the wrongful conviction and execution of a man for rape and murder when he was 18 in 1996.

Feng Zhiming, who was in charge of the case against Hugjiltu at the time, is suspected of job-related crimes and has been placed under further investigation. The other 26 officials received punishments such as admonishments and demerits on their records, according to a statement.